Backpack Addiction

I've had a mini love affair with Kipling U.S.A. products since I was a little girl when my sister Adri bought a set of their duffel bags. I already have a turquoise shoulder bag by Kipling U.S.A. and it's been a godsend. I have my heart set this backpack, but do I really need another one? We all have our vices, one of mine is backpacks.

Kipling U.S.A. Challenger Backpack $78

 

 

Here are a couple pictures of my shoulder bag. It's traveled everywhere with me!

Athens, Greece

Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

Priorities

I have been noticeably absent from this blog, lo siento! It’s for good reasons, I promise.

More and more lately, I’m realizing life is all about prioritizing what you need, love, and want. The reason I haven’t updated in a while is a combination of these three.

I need to devote a majority of time to school and related pursuits, such as cultivating relationships with my professors and the Alumni Office, where I work. 

I love wasting my time on other blog sites looking at pictures of the love of my life favorite celebrity and his various hair colors while listening to Florence + the Machine.
 I want to pursue my post-college plans and dreams more seriously, be a better sister and daughter, and take care of myself.

Love of my life.

As far as school goes, I made the Dean's List last term with a 3.9 GPA and I've made an impression on many of my professors, but one in particular. She's overseeing my independent study and I spend a significant amount of time in her office working on my research. I always thought she treated me different than the average student, but my suspicions were confirmed when she made me tea the other day. I don't know why, but I was really touched someone with a PhD would do something so menial for someone that is on the bottom rung of the ladder. The independent study we've been working on has yet to be accepted after two submissions. I turned in the third revision on Wednesday and I'm hoping the third time really is the charm because if I don't get this research grant I won't be able to go to Jordan. Essentially, my whole future relies upon a committee of professors, who I'm not convinced understand my project. There also the problem of perceived danger and prejudice against the Middle East and Arabs, but I don't want to even begin discussing that.

Future home away from home, hopefully!

I've never been one to have a lot of friends, which is derived from having four sisters, but I've made efforts with new people in the past 6 weeks and I'm pleased with the variety it brings into life. It's nice having someone to talk politics with and someone else that obsesses over television shows with you. I'm content, I don't need anything else or more. I'm constantly asked "Why don't you have a boyfriend, yet?" The truth is I've never made an effort to have one, but more so that I don't want one. I can't imagine having to devote time to a person other than myself. I see other people put so much time and energy into one person and it seems exhausting. I can't lose focus on my goals and dreams. Adding another person into my future would only complicate things (except if that person was named Benedict Cumberbatch or Idris Elba. I can make exceptions, I guess).

Three BEST friends. I'm not creepy at all.

In the near future, I will be moving in with my sister so I can continue my internship at the Field Museum and nanny. I would like to start volunteering my time towards educating refugees, too. There's so much to do and ,in reality, so little time.

This song has been my absolute favorite for a few days. Enjoy!